Using Nectar Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds: Hummingbird flowers share three traits. Their tube-shaped, brightly colored blooms are easy for hummingbirds to hover and sip.
Using Nectar Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
Plant these hummingbird-friendly flowers in your garden to attract more of these beautiful birds.
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal flower, named for Roman Catholic cardinals’ red robes, needs mulch in summer and winter to protect its roots. One of the best hummingbird flowers to grow.
Why we love it: In moist soil, this deer-resistant, reseeding, self-rooting perennial brightens partial shade or full sun. Flower spikes bloom for weeks from bottom to top.
Bee Balm
Bee balm flowers attract hummingbirds. In full sun, this beauty grows to 4 feet and flowers in midsummer. Several mildew-resistant varieties are available. Whether native or cultivated, birds love the nectar-rich blooms. Bee balm needs sun, moist soil, and airflow to prevent powdery mildew.
Why we love it: The round seed heads are beautiful in fall and winter and may self-sow after the tubular pink, red, white, or violet flowers fade.
Penstemon
North American penstemons are diverse. Locally native plants are best. They hate wet feet, especially in winter, so these hummingbird flowers are low-maintenance in full sun and well-drained soil.
Why we love it: We love it because there are many options. White, yellow, blue, purple, red, and orange flowers are available.
Hosta
Most hostas are grown for their leaves, but hummingbirds like their flowers. The large purple-to-white bell-shaped blooms provide excellent nectar.
Why we love it: Hummingbirds love sweet treats in the shade, while most people think of them for sunny areas.
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Catmint
Catmint is heat-tolerant, long-blooming, deer- and pest-resistant, and easy to grow. After the hummingbird flowers fade, shear off the stalk and a third of the blooms again.
Why we love it: Hummingbirds love blue Siberian catmint blooms. Beware that this variety grows aggressively.
Agastache
It’s no coincidence that one agastache species is called hummingbird mint. That type thrives in drought. Choose anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) in northern, wetter climates. Tubular hummingbird flowers on slender stalks come in many colors and shapes. A happy plant needs full sun and good drainage.
Why we love it:Â We like it because deer and rabbits ignore it.
Eastern Red Columbine
This easy-to-grow perennial thrives in partial to full shade. It reseeds to replenish older plants, which lose vigor after 3–4 years. It grows among other plants due to its airiness.
Why we love it: Hummingbirds love native columbine, which has crimson spurs and bright yellow stamens.
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Plant a colorful trumpet honeysuckle vine on a fence, arbor, or trellis in full sun to part shade. Hummingbirds love this climber. Most honeysuckles are invasive, but this one is worth considering. Native to many areas, hummingbirds visit for nectar all summer. The 12-foot vine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Why we love it: We love it because flowers bloom intermittently until fall after a late spring flush. You decide whether to prune.
Salvia
Choose any salvia—hummingbirds like them all. Dip your beak into the tubular blooms. Salvia thrives in full sun to partial shade. Annual salvia is a garden favorite, but perennials are powerful. The 1–5-foot blooms are bright purple, indigo, maroon, and red. Grow them in full sun and add some extras for the butterflies.
We love it: Salvias bloom almost constantly, especially in hot, dry conditions, and come in many colors and plant habits. Hummingbird flowers are drought-tolerant, so many gardeners grow them in summer. For best results, grow it in well-draining soil.
Zinnia
Zinnias attract humans and hummingbirds for many reasons. Growing them from seed is simple. The birds drink from the central florets, which you can use to make indoor bouquets.
Why we love it: We love it because there are so many colors! Choose Queen Lime, Envy, Tequila Lime, or other chartreuse flowers for green flowers in a rainbow garden.
